Wyoming Coach Mark Branch Earns Coach of the Year Honor

University of Wyoming head wrestling coach Mark Branch was chosen as the Big 12 Wrestling Coach of the Year Monday.

Branch is in his tenth season at UW, and during the regular season the Cowboys compiled a 13-3 dual record, which included a 7-2 mark in the Big 12 Conference. The 13 dual wins is tied for fourth most in program history, while their .8125 win percentage is sixth-best for a single season.

Wyoming is coming off its best finish at the Big 12 Championships March 3 and 4 in Tulsa, OK. They took fourth place and had their first two Big 12 Champions in seniors Bryce Meredith (141 pounds) and Archie Colgan (157). UW had been fifth in their first two years in the league.

Branch has a record of 100-49 in dual competition during his tenure with the Pokes. That includes a 49-14 mark in conference action. He has sent 51 wrestlers to the NCAA Championships and 10 have become All-Americans.

This is the first Big 12 coaching honor for Branch. He was the Big 12 Athlete of the Year after his senior season at Oklahoma State in 1997. Branch was selected the Western Wrestling Conference Coach of the Year in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Branch and the Cowboys will have six wrestlers at the NCAA Championships Thursday through Saturday in Cleveland.